Systems and Methods for Providing Enhanced Voicemail Services

ABSTRACT

A method for operating a mobile device to set a voicemail greeting includes providing the mobile device with a memory for storing a visual voicemail (VVM) application, an I/O interface, and a microphone for receiving an audio input. The method further includes: receiving a selection for an option to record the voicemail greeting, receiving the audio input, recording the audio input as the voicemail greeting for a voicemail account associated with the mobile device, storing the recorded voicemail greeting in the memory, and generating a request that includes the recorded voicemail greeting, a network address for a VVM system, and instructions to set the voicemail greeting as an active voicemail greeting for the voicemail account. The method further includes transmitting the request to the VVM system and receiving a response from the VVM system that includes an indication of whether the voicemail greeting was set as the active voicemail greeting.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of copending U.S. application Ser.No. 12/201,945, filed Aug. 29, 2008, which claims priority to U.S.Application No. 60/969,419, filed Aug. 31, 2007, all of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to voicemail service and, moreparticularly, to providing enhanced voicemail services.

BACKGROUND

Voicemail systems allow a caller to leave a voice message if the desiredrecipient is unavailable. Traditional voicemail systems (referred toherein as plain old voicemail or POVM) allow a subscriber to place acall to a voicemail system to access messages stored in his or hervoicemail box. This is done through a telephone user interface (TUI)that facilitates interaction between the subscriber and the voicemailsystem. The TUI provides functions for the subscriber to listen tomessages, skip messages, delete messages, and save messages. The TUIalso provides functions for the subscriber to set a voicemail greeting,record a voicemail greeting, record a name, and set/change a password.

A subscriber with multiple voicemail messages is required to listen to,skip, delete, or save each message while reviewing the voicemail box.This is time consuming and can be frustrating for the subscriber insituations where an important message has been deposited, requiring thesubscriber to listen to, skip, delete or save each message in search ofthe important message.

To help reduce the need to search through multiple messages, variousimproved voicemail systems have been developed that allow messages to bestored based on a priority scheme to increase the efficiency oflistening to voicemail messages. Often, these systems use an identifier,such as a telephone number of the caller, to identify a priority andposition the voicemail messages in order based on the assignedpriorities. When the recipient accesses the voicemail system to acquirevoicemail messages, the recipient is presented with each voicemailmessage in order of the priority or importance to the recipient. Thisreduces unwanted listening or skipping through multiple voicemailmessages to find an important message. However, an important message caneasily be relegated to a position of low importance if the subscriberhas not previously set the priority for the caller. In this system, thepriority for an incoming voicemail message is determined directly by thetelephone number associated with the caller.

The aforementioned systems fail to allow a subscriber to select theexact voicemail message the subscriber would like to hear. Further, theaforementioned systems require the use of a TUI to access the voicemailsystem. Still further, these systems merely notify a subscriber of apending voicemail message with a message waiting indicator (MWI) andrequire that the subscriber access the voicemail system to retrieve thepending message(s).

SUMMARY

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a method for operating a mobiledevice to set a voicemail greeting directly from the mobile deviceincludes providing the mobile device with a memory for storing a visualvoicemail (VVM) application, an I/O interface, and a microphone forreceiving an audio input. The method further includes receiving aselection for an option to record the voicemail greeting, receiving theaudio input, recording the audio input as the voicemail greeting for avoicemail account associated with the mobile device, and storing therecorded voicemail greeting in the memory. The method further includesthe VVM application generating a request in response to the voicemailgreeting being stored in the memory, wherein the request includes therecorded voicemail greeting, a network address for a VVM system, andinstructions to set the voicemail greeting as an active voicemailgreeting for the voicemail account. The method further includestransmitting the request to the VVM system using the network addressand, in response to the request, the mobile device receiving a responsethat includes an indication of whether the voicemail greeting was set asthe active voicemail greeting.

In some embodiments, the method includes the VVM application generatinga “ChangeGreeting” HTTP request that includes the recorded voicemailgreeting in a MIME message body, the network address for the VVM system,and instructions to set the voicemail greeting as the active voicemailgreeting for the voicemail account.

In some embodiments, the method further includes the mobile devicereceiving a hostname and port number for the VVM system in a priorcommunication with the VVM system. In other embodiments, the methodfurther includes the mobile device receiving a security token forfacilitating secure communications between the mobile device and the VVMsystem in a prior communication with the VVM system.

In some embodiments, the method includes recording the audio input as adefault voicemail greeting for the voicemail account associated with themobile device. In other embodiments, the method includes recording theaudio input as a contact-specific voicemail greeting for the voicemailaccount associated with the mobile device.

In some embodiments, the method further includes the mobile devicereceiving an alternate selection to change the active voicemail greetingto a pre-recorded voicemail greeting.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a computer-readable mediumincluding computer-executable instructions that, when executed by aprocessor, perform the steps of a method for operating a mobile deviceto set a voicemail greeting directly from the mobile device isdisclosed. The method performed includes the steps set forth in theabove method.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a mobile device includes aprocessor and a transceiver, in communication with the processor,wherein the transceiver provides a communication interface between themobile device and a visual voicemail (VVM) system remote to the mobiledevice. The mobile device further includes a microphone, incommunication with the processor, the microphone allowing audio signalsto be received by the mobile device as an audio input. The mobile devicefurther includes an I/O interface, in communication with the processor,the I/O interface providing a man-machine interface between a user ofthe mobile device and a VVM application. The mobile device furtherincludes a memory, in communication with the processor, the memoryincluding the VVM application for allowing user interaction via the I/Ointerface to set a voicemail greeting directly from the mobile device.The VVM application: receives a selection for an option to record thevoicemail greeting; in response to the option being selected, receivesthe audio input; records the audio input as the voicemail greeting for avoicemail account associated with the mobile device; stores the recordedvoicemail greeting in the memory; generates a request in response to thevoicemail greeting being stored in the memory, wherein the requestincludes the recorded voicemail greeting, a network address for a VVMsystem, and instructions to set the voicemail greeting as an activevoicemail greeting for the voicemail account; transmits the request tothe VVM system using the network address; and receives a response to thetransmitted request from the VVM system, the response including anindication of whether the voicemail greeting was set as the activevoicemail greeting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary network in which the present disclosurecan be implemented.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary message flow diagram illustrating a process forprovisioning a subscriber for visual voicemail service, according to thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary message flow diagram illustrating a process forfirst boot access of a mobile device to a visual voicemail system,according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary message flow diagram illustrating a process forsetting or changing a voicemail greeting, according to the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary message flow diagram illustrating a process forsetting or changing a voicemail password, according to the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary message flow diagram illustrating a process forsetting or changing a voicemail recorded name, according to the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary message flow diagram illustrating a process forvoicemail message deposit and subsequent retrieval of message contentfor local storage on a mobile device, according to the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 8 is an exemplary message flow diagram illustrating a process fortelephone user interface access management, according to the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 9 is an exemplary message flow diagram illustrating a process forpassword encryption, according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary mobile device and components thereof,according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As required, detailed embodiments of the present disclosure aredisclosed herein. It must be understood that the disclosed embodimentsare merely exemplary examples of the disclosure that may be embodied invarious and alternative forms, and combinations thereof. As used herein,the word “exemplary” is used expansively to refer to embodiments thatserve as an illustration, specimen, model or pattern. The figures arenot necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated orminimized to show details of particular components. In other instances,well-known components, systems, materials or methods have not beendescribed in detail in order to avoid obscuring the present disclosure.Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed hereinare not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for theclaims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the artto variously employ the present disclosure.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals represent likeelements throughout the several views, FIG. 1 illustrates a non-limitingexample of a network 100 in which the present disclosure can beimplemented. It should be understood that some elements have not beenillustrated so as not to obscure the present disclosure.

Although the present disclosure is applicable to any existing or yet tobe developed wireless telecommunications network, aspects of thedisclosed architecture are described with reference to the Global Systemfor Mobile communications (GSM) air interface that uses general packetradio service (GPRS) as an enabling bearer. As indicated above, examplesof other suitable wireless and radio frequency data transmission systemsinclude networks utilizing time division multiple access (TDMA),frequency division multiple access (FDMA), wideband code divisionmultiple access (WCDMA), orthogonal frequency division multiplexing(OFDM), and various other 2.5G, 3G (third generation), and abovewireless communications systems. Examples of other suitable enablingbearers include universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS),enhanced data rates for global evolution (EDGE), high speed downlinkpacket access (HSDPA), and similar communications protocols.

The illustrated network 100 includes a voicemail system (VMS) 102 thatis in communication with a content delivery server (CDS) 104 and anunstructured supplementary service data (USSD) server 106. The VMS 102can include a telephony server (TS) 108 for handling incoming voicemailinquiries via a telephone user interface (TUI) 109 and a storage server(SS) 110 for storing and managing voicemail messages for voicemailaccounts. The USSD server 106 can be configured to receive, decode, andprocess new USSD messages. The USSD server 106 can be configured toquery a database to retrieve a VMS hostname for the VMS (e.g., VMS 102)that is serving a mobile device (MD) 118. The USSD server 106 can beconfigured to query a database to resolve the VMS hostname to acorresponding IP address. The USSD server 106 can be configured toobtain a subscriber's voicemail class of service (COS) and send thevoicemail COS to the subscriber's MD 118. To enable the execution of theaforementioned functions, the USSD server 106 is illustrated as being incommunication with a home location register (HLR) 112, a subscriberdatabase 114, and a domain name server (DNS) 116. The USSD server 106can also be in communication with a mobile switching center/visitinglocation register (MSC/VLR) 120 and a message waiting indicator(MWI)/short message service center (SMSC) 122. The illustratedcommunication links are merely exemplary and are not intended to limitcommunications between the various network 100 elements via the linksshown.

The subscriber database 114 can be configured to store and managesubscriber data, such as, for example, account information, billinginformation, services information, and equipment information forsubscribers.

The DNS server 116 can maintain a database for resolving VMS hostnamesand IP addresses for various network 100 elements, such as, the VMS 102,for example. The USSD server 106 can retrieve a VMS hostname from thesubscriber database 114 and query the DNS 116 to resolve the IP addressfor the VMS hostname.

The HLR 112 can be configured to provide routing information formobile-terminated calls and short message service (SMS) messages. TheHLR 112 is illustrated as being in communication with the MSC/VLR 120.The MSC/VLR 120 is illustrated as being in communication with the MD 118and the MWI/SMSC 120 that can be configured for SMS and message waitingindicator (MWI) delivery. Multimedia message service (MMS) centerfunctionality is also contemplated for the MWI/SMSC 120 or can beprovided by another network 100 element. The MD 118 can be, but is notlimited to, a wireless communications device, a cellular telephone, aWIFI telephone, a WIMAX telephone, a dual-mode telephone, and the likeconfigured to operate on any wireless telecommunications networkdescribed herein above. An exemplary MD 118 and components thereof isdescribed with reference to FIG. 10.

The VMS 102 can be configured to store one or more voicemail accountsthat can be associated with one or more voicemail boxes. A voicemailaccount can be assigned to a subscriber and can be associated with theMD 118. A voicemail box can be a VMS-hosted voicemail box stored in amemory of a VMS. In addition or in the alternative, a voicemail box canbe a MD-hosted voicemail box. A MD-hosted voicemail box can be stored ina memory of the MD 118. The terms “voicemail account” and “voicemailbox” as used herein may, at times, be used interchangeably to describe amobile subscriber's voicemail access. Accordingly, the MD 118 caninclude functionality to retrieve and store, in memory, a voicemailmessage. The MD 118 can receive and store a portion of a newly depositedvoicemail message, for example, a voicemail header and can retrieve thevoicemail message body at a later time.

The voicemail service provider or any third party provider can definethe number of voicemail messages that can be stored in a voicemail box.The maximum voicemail message length can also be set. The number ofvoicemail messages and the maximum voicemail message length can beconfigured on the VMS 102.

Prior to a subscriber being provisioned for visual voicemail service,the voicemail box is in a not provisioned state. Upon being provisionedfor visual voicemail service, the voicemail box state is changed toprovisioned-not initialized to reflect that the subscriber isprovisioned for service but has not yet initialized service via a firstboot access process described herein below with reference to FIG. 3.Upon completion of the first boot access process, the voicemail boxstate changed to provisioned-initialized to reflect that the subscriberis provisioned for voicemail service and has completed the first bootaccess process.

The VMS 102 can be accessed via traditional or plain old voicemail(POVM) methods and visual voicemail (VVM) methods described herein.State changes to voicemail messages, whether requested through the TUI109 via POVM methods or directly on the MD 118, can be automaticallyupdated in the VMS-hosted voicemail box and the MD-hosted voicemail box.Updates ensure automatic and full synchronization between the MD 118 andthe VMS 102 so that tip-to-date voicemail information is stored on theMD 118.

A VMS-hosted voicemail box can recognize and maintain message states foreach voicemail message. A message state can be, but is not limited to,an unheard-new state, a skipped state, and a saved-read state, forexample. Messages can be deleted from the VMS 102 via the TUI 109 ordirectly on the MD 118. In either case, the message can be deleted onboth the VMS 102 and the MD 118. In an alternative embodiment, deletedmessages remain accessible on the MD 118 and/or the VMS 102 for aspecified period of time to allow the message to be recovered in thecase of accidental or premature deletion. In other embodiments, the VMS102 discards all messages after the MD 118 has successfully received andstored the available message content.

A MD-hosted voicemail box can recognize and maintain message states. Amessage state can be, but is not limited to, an unheard-new state, asaved-read state, and a deleted state. The MD 118 does not require askipped state because VVM provides an interface that allows a subscriberto access any message regardless of the order in which the message wasreceived and is not subject to restraint of saved orders or priorityschemes. As mentioned above, the MD-hosted voicemail box deleted statecan be configured such that the message is available for recovery ormerely as an indication that the message has been deleted. Either ofthese options can be set to be available for a time specified by eitherthe subscriber via a device input or by the voicemail service provider.A recover option can be provided on the MD 108 so that a deleted messagecan be recovered for a designated period of time.

It should be understood that the illustrated elements are merelyexemplary of one network configuration that can be used to implement thevarious aspects of the present disclosure. In alternative embodiments,some elements can be combined. For example) the CDS 104 can be combinedwith the VMS 102 and the combined VMS/CDS can provide the functionalityof both elements. Other exemplary combinations are contemplated.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a process for provisioning a mobile device forvisual voicemail (VVM) is illustrated, according to the presentdisclosure. In FIGS. 2-9, messages are sent using a variety ofprotocols, such as, for example, short message peer-to-peer (SMPP), DNSprotocol, lightweight directory access protocol (LDAP), unstructuredsupplementary service data (USSD) protocol, Internet message accessprotocol version 4 (IMAP4), hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), and HTTPover secure socket layer (HTTPS). The description provided below assumesan understanding of these protocols and as such further explanation isnot provided. The use of alternative protocols or additional protocolsto acquire similar results is deemed to be within the scope of thepresent disclosure. Accordingly, logical variations of the illustratedmessage flow are contemplated.

In FIGS. 2-9, the VMS 102 and the CDS 104 are illustrated as separateelements, although this is not necessarily the case. The VMS 102 and theCDS 104 can be combined such that the functionality of each element iscombined. Accordingly, in the illustrated embodiments, messages receivedby the VMS 102 or CDS 104 would be received by the combined VMS/CDS, andmessages sent from the VMS 102 or CDS 104 would be sent from thecombined VMS/CDS. Other network elements can be combined in a similarmanner.

The message flow begins at the MD 118 upon detection of a new integratedcircuit card ID (ICCID) of a subscriber identity module (SIM) oruniversal SIM (USIM), at step 200. If no SIM is present, the processfails and the MD 118 will not perform the remaining functions of thisprocess. For example, if no SIM is inserted, the MD 118 may beconfigured to only allow emergency calls and prevent all other calls orcommunication. If a SIM is present, at step 202, the MD 118 can generatea USSD message and send the message to the HLR 112. The HLR 112 canreceive the USSD message and append a mobile subscriber ISDN number(MSISDN) to the USSD message, at step 204. At step 206, the HLR 112 cansend the USSD message with the MSISDN to the USSD server 106. The USSDserver 106 can receive the message and submit an LDAP_query to thesubscriber database 114 to determine the hostname of the VMS 102 (VM_ID)serving the subscriber, at step 208. The subscriber database 114 canrespond with the proper VM_ID, at step 210. At step 212, the USSD server106 can send a DNS_query to the DNS server 116 to obtain an IP addressthat corresponds to the VM_ID. The DNS server 116 can resolve the IPaddress from the VM_ID and submit a DNS_query_response to the USSDserver 106 that includes the IP address for the VMS 102, at step 214. Inan alternative embodiment, the IP address for the VMS 102 can beobtained by a data table provisioned on another network element, such asthe CDS 104, for example.

If no VM_ID is found, the subscriber is not provisioned for voicemailservice. The USSD server 106 can generate a message indicating that thesubscriber is not provisioned for voicemail service, and send themessage to the SMSC 122, at step 216. The SMSC 122 can receive themessage, generate a short message, and send the message to the MD 118,at step 218, to notify the subscriber that voicemail service is notprovisioned. If a VM_ID is found, the USSD server 106 can send a queryto the VMS 102 to retrieve the voicemail class of service (COS) for thesubscriber, at step 220. At step 222, the VMS 102 can respond with thesubscriber's COS. At step 224, the USSD server 106 can send thesubscriber's COS to the SMSC 122. The SMSC 122 can receive the message,generate a short message that includes the subscriber's voicemail COS,and send the SM to the MD 118, at step 226. In some embodiments, therequesting subscriber will have a COS below the threshold needed for VVMservice. In these embodiments, the subscriber may be denied VVM serviceand the present process may fail. The subscriber may upgrade theirservice and the present process can repeat.

A COS can be assigned to each subscriber for the subscribed voicemailservice. In networks that offer POVM and VVM, voicemail servicesubscriptions that include only POVM service can have a COS thatprovides only POVM service. Likewise, voicemail service subscriptionthat include VVM service can have a COS that enables delivery of oraccess to VVM service as a stand-alone service or in addition to POVM.

Upon completion of the provisioning process described above, thesubscriber and the associated MD 118 are capable of being initializedvia a first boot process that is described in detail immediately belowwith reference to FIG. 3. A VMS 102 voicemail box can be changed from anot provisioned state to a provisioned-not initialized state after theprovisioning process is complete.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an exemplary process for first boot access of aMD to a VVM system is illustrated, according to the present disclosure.The first boot access process assumes that the subscriber has beenprovisioned and has the proper voicemail COS for VVM as determined inthe process described immediately above in FIG. 2. When a subscriber isinitially provisioned to the VMS 102 with the appropriate voicemail COS,the subscriber's account is enabled for voicemail notification via theCDS, for example. The VMS 102 can initiate a notification message to theCDS 104 intended for delivery to the MD 118 via an SMS message. Thenotification message confirms that VVM service is enabled and accessiblevia a VVM application stored on the MD 118. A visual prompt can bepresented to the subscriber as a cue or reminder to setup a voicemailbox prior to receipt of incoming voice messages. Conversely, POVM blocksreceipt of new messages until the mailbox is set up, or notifies thesubscriber of the first new voice message thereby prompting thesubscriber to place a call to retrieve the new voicemail message andbars access to the message until the subscriber sets up the POVMvoicemail box. The visual prompt of the present disclosureadvantageously eliminates the annoyance and need to access the voicemailsystem via the TUI 109 to setup the voicemail box and ensures thesubscriber sets up a voicemail box.

The VVM service can use several parameters to enable automaticsynchronization between the MD 118 and the VMS 102. Prior to first boot,the MD 118 does not have this information. Accordingly, the first bootprocess described below provides an initial SMS message that includes aset of parameters for future synchronization sessions.

The message flow begins when the VMS 102 generates an SMPP notificationmessage (notification_SM), at step 300. For example, a notification_SMmessage can include, but is not limited to, the hostname and port numberfor the subscriber's CDS 104, a token identifying the subscriber's VMS102, the subscriber's voicemail box ID (mailbox_ID) embedded with thetoken to uniquely identify the subscriber for the VMS 102, and thecurrent VMS password (if the password has not already been set). In analternative embodiment, the notification_SM can include the IP addressand port number for the subscriber's CDS 104 and the mailbox_ID. Thepassword and token are added to increase security and preserve dataintegrity. If a password is used, the password may not be encrypted andinstead the password can be obscured to hide the actual default passworddigits. Security aspects of the present disclosure are described ingreater detail with reference to FIG. 9.

After the notification_SM is generated, the VMS 102 can send thenotification_SM to the CDS 104, at step 302. The CDS 104 can receive thenotification_SM and generate an application directed notification andsend the notification to the SMSC 122, at step 304. The SMSC 122 canreceive and forward the message to the MD 118, at step 306. Theapplication directed SM can be received by the MD 118 and sent to theVVM application stored on the MD 118. A user may not be notified of theincoming SM. The VVM application can generate any prompts that arenecessary to guide the user through setup and other processes identifiedin the application directed SM upon receipt of the SM or at a timethereafter.

If the SIM card is removed from the MD 118 and replaced with a new SIMcard, the MD 118 can be initially unaware as to whether the newsubscriber is subscribed to VVM service. It is assumed that the newsubscriber is subscribed to POVM service and can access voicemail viathe TUI 109, however, all VVM functionality is unavailable until theproper provisioning and initialization steps are taken for the newsubscriber and SIM. In the meantime, the previous subscriber's VVM data,including all VVM messages, can be automatically removed or hidden topreserve subscriber privacy. As an exception to the synchronizationprotocol described above, if messages are removed due to removal of theSIM, those messages are not necessarily removed from the VMS 102, butcan be retained for retrieval when the SIM is reinserted or used withanother MD. Upon insertion of the new SIM, the processes described abovein FIGS. 2-3 can substantially repeat for the new subscriber. If the newsubscriber is provisioned for VVM service and has performed a first bootprocess previously on the MD 118 or another VVM compatible device, thenew subscriber's VVM can be acquired and the subscriber can have normalaccess to VVM service. If the old subscriber chooses to reinsert theSIM, a notification_SM can be sent from the VMS 102 to the MD 118 andVVM service for the old subscriber can resume. The old subscriber'svoicemail message can be retrieved again or un-hidden to recreate a VVMbox as it was before the SIMs were swapped.

For situations in which VVM is temporarily unavailable for networkmaintenance, device maintenance, or other unforeseen circumstances, theVVM subscriber can access voicemail via the TUI 109 as a default accessmethod.

Referring now to FIG. 4, an exemplary process for setting or changing avoicemail greeting is illustrated, according to the present disclosure.For this process, it is assumed that the VVM application has receivedthe hostname and port number of the serving CDS 104 and the tokenidentifying the VMS 102 in a prior exchange with the CDS 104 and hasstored this data for use in setting up a data channel to the CDS 104.

The present process is described for a personal greeting for all calls,however, it should be understood that contact-specific greetings mayalso be set or changed using similar processes for VMSs that supportsuch greetings. Other greeting types, for example, an extended absencegreeting are also contemplated.

The set/change greeting process can begin when the subscriber records anew voicemail greeting on the MD 118, at step 400. The subscriber canthen select an upload function on the VVM application to upload the newgreeting. The greeting can be formatted using any audio codec, such as,but not limited to, adaptive multi-rate (AMR), AMR wideband (AMR-WB),and any other standardized or independent audio codecs.

After a new greeting has been recorded, the VVM application can generatea “ChangeGreeting” HTTP request that includes the recorded greeting inthe selected format in a MIME message body. The “ChangeGreeting” requestcan be sent to the CDS 104 for storage, at step 402. The CDS 104 canreceive the “ChangeGreeting” request and send a message, at step 404, tonotify the VMS 102 to save the recording as the primary greeting for theuser. If a custom voicemail greeting is not set, the default voicemailgreeting (e.g., the network default greeting) can be replaced with thenew voicemail greeting. The success or failure of the save can bereported back to the CDS 104, at step 406. The CDS 104 can report thesuccess or failure of the “ChangeGreeting” request in a “ChangeGreeting”response, at step 408. If the “ChangeGreeting” request fails, the VVMapplication can notify the user to retry, offer customer support, and/orrefer the customer to a telephone number or website address for furtherinformation and troubleshooting.

Referring now to FIG. 5, an exemplary process for setting or changing avoicemail password is illustrated, according to the present disclosure.For this process, it is assumed that the VVM application has receivedthe hostname and port number of the serving CDS 104 and the tokenidentifying the VMS 102 in a prior exchange with the CDS 104 and hasstored this data for use in setting up a data channel to the CDS 104. Ifa password has not been set, a default password provided in thenotification_SM message can be required to be initialized prior to thesubscriber accessing the voicemail box, setting the greeting, or settinga recorded name. If the password has not been initialized, the CDS 104can send the current password in a notification_SM message. The currentpassword can then be used to access the voicemail box to configure thenew password. The password can be any combination of numbers and/orcharacters and can be any length. In an exemplary embodiment, thepassword can be set with a minimum and maximum length. The VVMapplication can be configured to verify that the password lengthcomplies with this requirement prior to attempting to change thepassword on the VMS. If the subscriber enters a password that fails tocomply with the length requirement, the VVM application can notify theuser to retry with a password that satisfies the minimum and maximumlength requirement, offer customer support, and/or refer the customer toa telephone number or website address for further information andtroubleshooting.

The set/change password process can begin when a subscriber is promptedto enter both the old password and the new password. The subscriber canenter the old password and new password on the MD 118, at step 500.After the passwords have been entered, the VVM application can generatea “ChangePassword” HTTP request with no MIME message body. The“ChangePassword” request can be sent to the CDS 104 for storage, at step502. The CDS 104 can receive the “ChangePassword” request and send amessage, at step 504, to notify the VMS 102 to perform a passwordvalidation and to save the new password. The success or failure of thesave can be reported back to the CDS 104, at step 506. The CDS 104 canreport the success or failure of the “ChangePassword” request in a“ChangePassword” response, at step 508. Error codes can be set for theVMS 102 and/or the CDS 104 to return to the MD 118 in case the passwordis found invalid for any reason or if the password has expired. The VVMapplication can be configured to receive an error code and providecorrective action to the subscriber to resolve the password issue. Forexample, the VVM application can notify the user to retry, offercustomer support, and/or refer the customer to a telephone number orwebsite address for further information and troubleshooting.

After the first boot access process, the password can be encrypted toavoid unauthorized parties from identifying the password and potentiallygaining access to the subscriber's private voicemail data. An exemplarypassword encryption process is described in detail with reference toFIG. 9.

Referring now to FIG. 6, an exemplary process for setting or changing avoicemail recorded name is illustrated, according to the presentdisclosure. For this process, it is assumed that the VVM application hasreceived the hostname and prior number of the serving CDS 104 and thetoken identifying the VMS 102 in a prior exchange with the CDS 104 andhas stored this data for use in setting up a data channel to the CDS104. This process can occur during mailbox initialization as directedfrom the VVM application or at anytime the subscriber desires to changethe recorded name.

The set/change recorded name process can begin when the subscriberrecords a new name on the MD 118, at step 600. The subscriber can selectan upload function on the VVM application to upload the new name. Therecorded name can be formatted using any audio codec, such as, but notlimited to, adaptive multi-rate (AMR), AMR wideband (AMR-WB), or anyother standardized or independent audio codec.

After a new name has been recorded, the VVM application can generate a“ChangeRecordedName” HTTP request that includes the recorded name in theselected format in a MIME message body. The “ChangeRecordedName” requestcan be sent to the CDS 104 for storage, at step 602. The CDS 104 canreceive the “ChangeRecordedName” request and send a message, at step604, to notify the VMS 102 to save the recording as the recorded namefor the subscriber. The success or failure of the save can be reportedback to the CDS 104, at step 606. The CDS 104 can report the success orfailure of the “ChangeGreeting” request in a “ChangeGreeting” response,at step 608.

The VVM application can be configured to switch between the standardgreeting without name, the standard greeting with name, and a customgreeting, for example. The standard greeting can be, for example, agreeting provided by the VM service provider as a default with orwithout the recorded name. The VVM application can be further configuredto retrieve the current voicemail greeting and recorded name using aHTTP request.

Referring now to FIG. 7, an exemplary process for voicemail messagedeposit and subsequent retrieval of message content for local storage onthe MD 118 is illustrated, according to the present disclosure. Theprocess can begin when a message is deposited into the VMS 102, at step700. The VMS can generate a notification_SM at a time after a message isdeposited and can send the notification_SM to the CDS 104, at step 702.The CDS 104 can forward the message, at step 704, to the SMSC 122 that,in turn, can forward the message, at step 706, to the MD 118, The MD 118can receive the notification_SM message and can generate an HTTP messageget_headers that can be sent to the CDS 104, at step 708. Theget_headers message can include parameters such as the date, time, andcalling line identity (CLI). The get_headers message can additionallyinclude authentication information for IMAP sessions between the CDS andVMS. At step 710, the CDS 104 can initiate an IMAP session with the VMS102. Accordingly, a TCP connection can be established and theget_headers message can be used to authenticate the session, after whichthe subscriber's voicemail box can be accessed on the VMS 102 toretrieve the header information for the voicemail messages. The VMS 102can send the headers to the CDS 104, at step 712. The CDS 104 canforward the headers to the MD 118, at step 714. The MD 118 can use theheaders to determine the status of each message stored on the MD 118 andidentify any newly deposited messages. After the MD 118 determines whichmessage(s) needs to be retrieved, the MD 118 can generate and send anHTTP message get_message with the header information for the requestedmessage(s), at step 716. At step 718, the message can be received andthe CDS 104 can generate and send an IMAP message_request to the VMS102. The IMAP message_request can include the requested voicemailmessage header information. The VMS 102 can process the request andreturn the requested message content in an IMAP message_response, atstep 720. The CDS 104 can deliver the message content, at step 722. Uponreceipt of the message content, the MD 118 can store the content underthe appropriate header in a memory and permit the subscriber to accessthe content via a VVM application graphical user interface (GUI). Themessage content can be formatted using any audio codec, such as, but notlimited to, adaptive multi-rate (AMR), AMR wideband (AMR-WB), or anyother standardized or independent audio codec.

In some embodiments, an “if-modified-since” HTTP message can be used tooccasionally poll the VMS 102 for the inbox voicemail message list andupdate any voicemail message “if-modified-since” the last update, forexample, if a message was deleted or added. This can reduce the amountof data traversing the network thereby reducing network congestion. Insome instances, however, the header information is relatively small andas such no noticeable improvement may be achieved for sending only themodified voicemail message header.

In some embodiments, more than one connection can be established to theVMS 102 or in some cases to multiple or redundant VMS's. This allows forsimultaneous requests in order to serve a subscriber's request to viewor listen to a message faster. Load balancing techniques can also beimplemented.

In some embodiments, message downloads that are interrupted, forexample, via cancellation or connection failure, can be resumed startingat the last received byte. These embodiments assume the message isstored in full, at least temporarily, on the CDS 104. In some instances,however, the CDS 104 can delete the message after the message content issent to the MD 118. A subsequent request for one or more previously sentmessages can be facilitated by re-retrieving the message, re-transcodingthe message, and sending the message to the MD 118.

In some embodiments, requests to the CDS 104 can be pipelined inaccordance with HTTP standard specifications, thereby reducing networklatency for multiple requests.

Referring now to FIG. 8, an exemplary process for TUI management isillustrated, according to the present disclosure. The following processis for the scenario in which a subscriber accesses the TUI 109 via alandline, the MD 118, or another MD. The process can begin at step 800,wherein the subscriber places a call to the VMS 102 using the TUI 109.After the subscriber is granted access to his or her mailbox, the usercan listen to, skip, or delete any message. A voicemail box change canoccur at step 802. The subscriber can terminate the call, at step 804.In response to the subscriber exiting the voicemail box, the VMS 102 cangenerate a notification_SM message that can be sent to the CDS 104, atstep 806. The notification_SM message can include the content asdescribed above. At step 808, the notification_SM message can beforwarded to the SMSC 122. The SMSC 122, in turn, can forward themessage to the MD 118, at step 810. At step 812, the MD 118 can receivethe notification_SM message and generate an HTTP get_headers messagethat can be sent to the CDS 104. The MD 118 can use the get_headersmessage to determine what voicemail information has changed. At step814, the CDS 104 can initiate an IMAP session with the VMS 102. A TCPconnection can be established and the get_headers message can be used toauthenticate the session. The subscriber's voicemail box can be accessedon the VMS 102 to retrieve the header information for the voicemailmessages. The VMS 102 can send the headers to the CDS 104, at step 816.The CDS 104 can forward the headers to the MD 118, at step 818. The MD118 can use the headers to determine if any voicemail box change(s) haveoccurred. After the MD 118 determines the message(s) that need to beretrieved, the MD 118 can generate and send an HTTP message get_messagewith the header information for the requested message(s), at step 820.At step 822, the get_message message can be received and the CDS 104 cangenerate and send an IMAP message_request to the VMS 102. The IMAPmessage_request can include the requested voicemail message headerinformation The VMS 102 can process the request and return the requestedmessage content in an IMAP message_response, at step 824. The CDS 104can deliver the message content, at step 826. Upon receipt of themessage content, the MD 118 can store the content under the appropriateheader in a memory (see FIG. 10) and permit the subscriber to access thecontent via a VVM application GUI.

In some embodiments, a subscriber can be provisioned to switch between aPOVM system and a VVM system upon demand. For example, when travelinginternationally, a subscriber may desire to switch to POVM to avoidhigher data rate charges for use of VVM service.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a process for password encryption isillustrated, according to the present disclosure. The process can beginat step 900 and the MD 118 can establish a connection with the CDS 104.The CDS 104 can calculate an encryption key that is specific to thecurrent session, at step 902. At step 904, the CDS 104 can send thesession-specific encryption key to the MD 118. The MD 118 can receivethe encryption key and response with an HTTP request to the CDS 104 withencrypted password and a decryption key, at step 906. If the session isintended for a password change process, the old and new passwords can besent. At step 908, the CDS 104 can receive and decrypt the password withthe decryption key. The CDS 104 can generate an authentication_requestto authenticate the password. The authentication_request can be sent tothe VMS 102, at step 910. At step 912, the VMS 102 can respond with anauthentication_response indicating the success or failure of theauthentication. The CDS 104 can receive the authentication_response andgenerate a session_success/fail message. The session_success/failmessage can be sent to the MD 118, at step 914. Assuming a successfulauthentication, the MD 118 and CDS 104 can conduct any of theaforementioned processes during CDS/MD actions 916, 918, 920. Theconnection can be terminated at step 922 if, for example, the MD 118closes the connection, there is a connection timeout between the MD 118and the CDS 104, or the initial authentication fails. After connectionis terminated, the CDS 104 can delete the session-specific key, at step924.

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an exemplary MD 118for use in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure. Although no connections are shown between the componentsillustrated and described in FIG. 10, the components can interact witheach other to carry out device functions.

As illustrated, the MD 118 can be a multimode handset. FIG. 10 and thefollowing discussion are intended to provide a brief, generaldescription of a suitable environment in which the various aspects of anembodiment of the present disclosure can be implemented. While thedescription includes a general context of computer-executableinstructions, the present disclosure can also be implemented incombination with other program modules and/or as a combination ofhardware and software.

Generally, applications can include routines, program modules, programs,components, data structures, and the like. Applications can beimplemented on various system configurations, including single-processoror multiprocessor systems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, personalcomputers, hand-held computing devices, microprocessor-based,programmable consumer electronics, combinations thereof, and the like.

The device 118 includes a display 1000 for displaying multimedia suchas, for example, text, images, video, telephony functions, such as,visual voicemail data, caller line ID data, setup functions, menus,music metadata, messages, wallpaper, graphics, and the like. The display1000 finds particular application in the present disclosure fordisplaying visual voicemail data in visual voicemail headers. The visualvoicemail headers can include the date, time, CLI data, message length,and message status (i.e., new-unread, read, saved, or deleted).

The device 118 can include a processor 1002 for controlling, and/orprocessing data. A memory 1004 can interface with the processor 1002 forthe storage of data and/or applications 1006. The memory 1004 caninclude a variety of computer readable media, including volatile media,non-volatile media, removable media, and non-removable media.Computer-readable media can include device storage media andcommunication media. Storage media can include volatile and/ornon-volatile, removable and/or non-removable media such as, for example,RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD ROM, DVD,or other optical disk storage, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage orother magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used tostore the desired information and that can be accessed by the device118.

The memory 1004 can be configured to store one or more applications1006, such as, for example, video player software, user feedbackcomponent software, combinations thereof, and the like. The applications1006 can also include a user interface (UI) application 1008. The UIapplication 1008 can interface with a client 1010 (e.g., an operatingsystem) to facilitate user interaction with device functionality anddata, for example, answering/initiating calls, entering/deleting data,configuring settings, address book manipulation, multimode interaction,and the like. The applications 1006 can include other applications 1012such as, for example, visual voicemail software, add-ons, plug-ins,voice recognition software, call voice processing, voice recording,messaging, e-mail processing, video processing, image processing, musicplay, combinations thereof, and the like, as well as subsystems and/orcomponents. The applications 1006 can be stored in the memory 1004and/or in a firmware 1014, and can be executed by the processor 1002.The firmware 1014 can also store code for execution duringinitialization of the device 118.

A communications component 1016 can interface with the processor 1002 tofacilitate wired/wireless communications with external systemsincluding, for example, cellular networks, VoIP networks, LAN, WAN, MAN,PAN, that can be implemented using WiFi, WiMax, combinations and/orimprovements thereof, and the like. The communications component 1016can also include a multimode communications subsystem for providingcellular communications via different cellular technologies. Forexample, a first cellular transceiver 1018 can operate in one mode, forexample, GSM, and an Nth transceiver 1020 can operate in a differentmode, for example WiFi. While only two transceivers 1018, 1020 areillustrated, it should be appreciated that a plurality of transceiverscan be included. The communications component 1016 can also include atransceiver 1022 for unlicensed RF communications using technology suchas, for example, WiFi, WiMAX, NFC, other RE and the like. Thetransceiver 1022 can also be configured for line-of-sight technologies,such as, for example, infrared and IRDA. Although a single transceiver1022 is illustrated multiple transceivers for unlicensed RF andline-of-sight technologies are contemplated.

The communications component 1016 can also facilitate communicationsreception from terrestrial radio networks, digital satellite radionetworks, Internet-based radio services networks, combinations thereof,and the like. The communications component 1016 can process data from anetwork, such as, for example, the Internet, a corporate intranet, ahome broadband network, and the like, via an ISP, DSL provider, or otherbroadband service provider.

An input/output (I/O) interface 1024 can be provided for input/output ofdata and/or signals. The I/O interface 1024 can be a hardwireconnection, such as, for example, a USB, PS2, IEEE 1394, serial,parallel, IEEE 802.3 (e.g., Ethernet—RJ45, RJ48), traditional telephonejack (e.g., RJ11, RJ14, RJ25) and the like, and can accept other I/Odevices, such as, for example, a keyboard, keypad, mouse, interfacetether, stylus pen, printer, plotter, jump/thumb drive, touch screen,touch pad, trackball, joy stick, controller, monitor, display, LCD,combinations thereof, and the like.

Audio capabilities can be provided by an audio I/O component 1026 thatcan include a speaker (not shown) for the output of audio signals and amicrophone (not shown) to collect audio signals.

The device 118 can include a slot interface 1028 for accommodating asubscriber identity system 1030, such as, for example, a SIM oruniversal SIM (USIM). The subscriber identity system 1030 instead can bemanufactured into the device 118, thereby obviating the need for a slotinterface 1028.

The device 118 can include an image capture and processing system 1032.Photos and/or videos can be obtained via an associated image capturesubsystem of the image system 1032, for example, a camera. The device118 can also include a video systems component 1034 for processing,recording, and/or transmitting video content.

A location component 1036 can be included to send and/or receivesignals, such as, for example, GPS data, assisted GPS data,triangulation data, combinations thereof, and the like. The device 118can use the received data to identify its location or can transmit dataused by other devices to determine the device 118 location.

The device 118 can include a power source 1038 such as batteries and/orother power subsystem (AC or DC). The power source 1038 can besingle-use, continuous, or rechargeable. In the case of the latter, thepower source 1038 call interface with an external power system orcharging equipment via a power I/O component 1040.

The law does not require and it is economically prohibitive toillustrate and teach every possible embodiment of the present claims.Hence, the above-described embodiments are merely exemplaryillustrations of implementations set forth for a clear understanding ofthe principles of the disclosure. Variations, modifications, andcombinations may be made to the above-described embodiments withoutdeparting from the scope of the claims. All such variations,modifications, and combinations are included herein by the scope of thisdisclosure and the following claims.

1. A method for operating a mobile device to set a voicemail greetingdirectly from the mobile device, the method comprising: providing themobile device with a memory for storing a visual voicemail (VVM)application, an I/O interface, and a microphone for receiving an audioinput; receiving, at the VVM application via the I/O interface, aselection for an option to record the voicemail greeting; in response tothe option being selected, receiving, via the microphone, the audioinput; the VVM application recording the audio input as the voicemailgreeting for a voicemail account associated with the mobile device; theVVM application storing the recorded voicemail greeting in the memory;the VVM application generating a request in response to the voicemailgreeting being stored in the memory, the request comprising the recordedvoicemail greeting, a network address for a VVM system, and instructionsto set the voicemail greeting as an active voicemail greeting for thevoicemail account; the mobile device transmitting the request to the VVMsystem using the network address; and the mobile device receiving aresponse to the transmitted request from the VVM system, the responsecomprising an indication of whether the voicemail greeting was set asthe active voicemail greeting.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the VVMapplication generating the request comprises the VVM applicationgenerating a “ChangeGreeting” HTTP request comprising the recordedvoicemail greeting in a MIME message body, the network address for theVVM system, and instructions to set the voicemail greeting as the activevoicemail greeting for the voicemail account.
 3. The method of claim 1further comprising the mobile device receiving a hostname and portnumber for the VVM system in a prior communication with the VVM system.4. The method of claim 1 further comprising the mobile device receivinga security token for facilitating secure communications between themobile device and the VVM system in a prior communication with the VVMsystem.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein recording the audio input asthe voicemail greeting for the voicemail account associated with themobile device comprises recording the audio input as a default voicemailgreeting for the voicemail account associated with the mobile device. 6.The method of claim 1, wherein recording the audio input as thevoicemail greeting for the voicemail account associated with the mobiledevice comprises recording the audio input as a contact-specificvoicemail greeting for the voicemail account associated with the mobiledevice.
 7. The method of claim 1 further comprising the mobile devicereceiving an alternate selection to change the active voicemail greetingto a pre-recorded voicemail greeting.
 8. A computer-readable mediumcomprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by aprocessor, perform the steps of a method for operating a mobile deviceto set a voicemail greeting directly from the mobile device, the methodcomprising: receiving a selection for an option to record the voicemailgreeting; in response to the option being selected, receiving audioinput, and recording the audio input as the voicemail greeting for avoicemail account associated with the mobile device; storing therecorded voicemail greeting; generating a request in response to thevoicemail greeting being stored, the request comprising the recordedvoicemail greeting, a network address for a VVM system, and instructionsto set the voicemail greeting as an active voicemail greeting for thevoicemail account; transmitting the request to the VVM system using thenetwork address; and receiving a response to the transmitted requestfrom the VVM system, the response comprising an indication of whetherthe voicemail greeting was set as the active voicemail greeting.
 9. Thecomputer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein generating the requestcomprises generating a “ChangeGreeting” HTTP request comprising therecorded voicemail greeting in a MIME message body, the network addressfor the VVM system, and instructions to set the voicemail greeting asthe active voicemail greeting for the voicemail account.
 10. Thecomputer-readable medium of claim 8 further comprising receiving ahostname and port number for the VVM system in a prior communicationwith the VVM system.
 11. The computer-readable medium of claim 8 furthercomprising receiving a security token for facilitating securecommunications between the mobile device and the VVM system in a priorcommunication with the VVM system.
 12. The computer-readable medium ofclaim 8, wherein recording the audio input as the voicemail greeting forthe voicemail account associated with the mobile device comprisesrecording the audio input as a default voicemail greeting for thevoicemail account associated with the mobile device.
 13. Thecomputer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein recording the audio inputas the voicemail greeting for the voicemail account associated with themobile device comprises recording the audio input as a contact-specificvoicemail greeting for the voicemail account associated with the mobiledevice.
 14. The computer-readable medium of claim 8 further comprisingreceiving an alternate selection to change the active voicemail greetingto a pre-recorded voicemail greeting.
 15. A mobile device, comprising: aprocessor; a transceiver, in communication with the processor, thetransceiver providing a communication interface between the mobiledevice and a visual voicemail (VVM) system remote to the mobile device;a microphone, in communication with the processor, the microphoneallowing audio signals to be received by the mobile device as an audioinput; an I/O interface, in communication with the processor, the I/Ointerface providing a man-machine interface between a user of the mobiledevice and a VVM application; a memory, in communication with theprocessor, the memory comprising the VVM application for allowing userinteraction via the I/O interface to set a voicemail greeting directlyfrom the mobile device, wherein the VVM application: receives, via theI/O interface, a selection for an option to record the voicemailgreeting; in response to the option being selected, receives, via themicrophone, the audio input; records the audio input as the voicemailgreeting for a voicemail account associated with the mobile device;stores the recorded voicemail greeting in the memory; generates arequest in response to the voicemail greeting being stored in thememory, the request comprising the recorded voicemail greeting, anetwork address for a VVM system, and instructions to set the voicemailgreeting as an active voicemail greeting for the voicemail account;transmits the request to the VVM system using the network address; andreceives a response to the transmitted request from the VVM system, theresponse comprising an indication of whether the voicemail greeting wasset as the active voicemail greeting.
 16. The mobile device of claim 15,wherein the VVM application generates a “ChangeGreeting” HTTP requestcomprising the recorded voicemail greeting in a MIME message body, thenetwork address for the VVM system, and instructions to set thevoicemail greeting as the active voicemail greeting for the voicemailaccount.
 17. The mobile device of claim 15, wherein the VVM applicationfurther receives a hostname and port number for the VVM system.
 18. Themobile device of claim 15, wherein the VVM application ftiiher receivesa security token to provide secure communications between the mobiledevice and the VVM system.
 19. The mobile device of claim 15, whereinthe VVM application records the audio input as a default voicemailgreeting for the voicemail account associated with the mobile device.20. The mobile device of claim 15, wherein the VVM application recordsthe audio input as a contact-specific voicemail greeting for thevoicemail account associated with the mobile device.